CFHS teams prepare for first action of season

Columbia Falls High School athletes in fall sports conclude pre-season practice either this week or next week in preparation for season openers.

Volleyball is the first sport with outside competition as the Wildkats take part in the Whitefish Tip-off Tournament on Saturday (see season preview in this issue).

The football season opener is at home a week from Friday, on Sept. 5, against Browning. Three of the first four Wildcat games are on their home turf, as they host Stevensville on Sept. 19 and Ronan on Sept. 26. The only other home game is Oct. 17 against Bigfork. The first road game is Sept. 13, a Saturday, at Butte Central. The Blue and White scrimmage is at 10 a.m. this Saturday. John Thompson returns as the head coach.

Golf was scheduled to begin for the CFHS boys and girls today (Thursday) at the Ronan tournament, but that event has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4. The JV team hosts an invitational on Sept. 11, and the varsity is host of a tournament Sept. 16. Gene Marcille returns as the head coach.

Cross country gets under way with the Libby Invitational on Friday, Sept. 5, beginning at 1 p.m. The Flathead Invitational is Saturday, Sept. 13 in Kalispell. Steve Gasche is the returning head coach.

CFHS boys and girls soccer teams each have their first two games of the season on the road. They face Park County in openers on Friday, Sept. 5, then take on Belgrade the following day. The home openers are Sept. 12 against Libby. Peter Browne returns as the boys coach, and Greg Trenerry is back as the girls coach.